This is my personal blog which I began in February 2001. I called it The Obvious? when I wrote anonymously and chose the name to reflect the fact I have to overcome my inhibitions about stating the obvious!

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One of the main benefits of saying what you think in a public place like the web is that you attract people to you through your opinion and ideas. All of my work comes through word of mouth or through people having read my blog or book and getting in touch. The most obvious benefit for me, and one I feel grateful for every day, is that I get to work with likeminded people who are seeking the same sort of things as I am. By writing about the possibilities the web affords us to make the world a better place I attract people who want to make the world a better place. Every day I get to work with people who are really intent on improving things and doing so through better management practices and empowering people. As a result my days are mostly spent with really nice people doing really important things.

This is what I believe is available to everyone. Writing about what you do, why you do it, and the possibilities you see to improve the world around you has never been easier or more effective. If you work in an organisation and have the possibility of internal blogging or its equivalent you get to influence others and be seen to be someone who knows what they are talking about. You have more opportunity than ever before to shape the world around you.

Obviously doing this in the confines of an organisation can be more problematic than it is for those of us working independently. You may have a boss whose view of the world is very different from yours or you may be in a very structured environment where your opportunities for influence are limited. Even in these circumstances, and even if your ability to say what you think in public is limited, say it to yourself! Keep a private blog. Write your ideas down for your own benefit. Explore what is possible and set out your thinking in writing. It will help you to work out what you think and what you can do about it and then when opportunities arise, however small, you will be in a position to make the most of them.